A viewing usually takes about fifteen minutes. In that time it's easy to forget the important things, especially when the landlord is chatting and two more applicants are waiting on the stairs. This list helps you avoid getting home and realising what you forgot to ask.
Tip: save it to your phone and go through it at the viewing.
Before the viewing
- Reread the listing: rent, utilities, deposit, move-in date.
- Check the area on a map: transport, shops, distance to work.
- Get your documents ready, so if you like the flat you can send them the same day. What they are is in our article on being a strong applicant.
- Arrive a few minutes early, and take a look around the street.
The flat
- Damp and mould: corners, bathroom, behind wardrobes.
- Windows: do they close properly, is there a draught?
- Water: turn on the tap, check the pressure and the hot water.
- Heating: what kind, and who pays for it.
- Noise: with the windows open and closed.
What many people miss
- Sockets: are there enough, and where you need them? For a home office this matters a lot.
- Mobile signal and internet: check on your phone, and ask which providers are available.
- Smell: musty, cigarette smoke or drains. Photos don't show these.
- Storage: wardrobes, pantry, cellar. Where will your suitcase and bike go?
- Appliances: washing machine, fridge, oven. Do they work, and what shape are they in?
- Which way the bedroom faces: street or courtyard? Does it get the morning sun?
Warning signs
A freshly painted patch on the ceiling can hide a leak. A steamed-up window, spotty grout and a black corner behind the wardrobe point to mould. The landlord will say it's been sorted. Ask what caused it, and what they did about it.
The costs
Ask about average monthly utilities, and whether the building service charge is included in the rent. Also ask whose name the meters are in.
In an old, poorly insulated flat, the winter heating bill can be surprisingly high. Ask for last winter's utility bills, or at least an estimate. If the landlord doesn't know, that's information too.
The building and the area
Stairwell, lift, bike storage, shops, transport. If you can, take a look around in the evening as well.
The state of the building tells you a lot. A tidy stairwell, a working intercom and a clean courtyard suggest the building management works, and if something goes wrong, there'll be someone to turn to.
Ask
- How long has it been available, and why did the last tenant move out?
- When can you move in, and how much is the deposit?
- Can you register your address at the flat?
- How long is the lease, and how can it be ended?
- Who fixes things if something breaks, and who do you call?
- Are pets, smoking, a flatmate allowed?
- How will the rent change after a year? Read more in our article on rent increases.
Take photos
Ask if you can photograph the flat. It's easier to decide in the evening, comparing calmly.
If you see several flats in one day, without photos they quickly blur together. A quick shot of each room, plus one of the meters or the boiler, is enough.
After the viewing
If you liked the flat, message the landlord the same day: thank them for the viewing, say you're interested, and send your documents. If you didn't like it, say so briefly too. It's polite, and it helps the landlord move faster.
Before you sign, go through the key points of the lease.
FAQ
Can I bring someone to the viewing?
Yes, and it's a good idea. Two people notice more, and it's easier to decide afterwards.
What if the landlord won't let me take photos?
It's not necessarily a bad sign, it may be because of the current tenant's things. In that case, take notes and ask for the listing photos.
Can I ask for a second viewing?
Yes, but ask quickly. A good flat can find a tenant in the meantime.
Rentkey
In Rentkey you can arrange viewing times with the landlord, and apply for the flat with one link using your Rentkey Passport.
